In 2000, he joined the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas. He was on the board of National Stonewall Democrats (2006-2008) and is a former secretary of the Gertrude Stein Democrats. He also started the first LGBT LULAC (League of United Latin-American Citizens) council (the Dallas Rainbow Council) in 2006, which worked on both LGBT and Latinx issues. Garcia is now president of the gay LULAC council in Washington, which he helped launch in 2014.

That group is hosting two free workshops on citizenship (June 16 and 19) at the Marvin Center (800 21st St., N.W.) at George Washington University (details at lulaclambda.org).

Garcia also has his own weekly podcast “The Jesse Garcia Show,” which features LGBT Latinx folks “who are doing amazing things” in politics, culture and art.

And during the 2008 presidential election, he was one of five national co-chairs of Obama Pride, a national voter outreach effort for LGBT Americans, which he says was a “dream come true for this boy from the border.”

He followed that working in Dallas as a special assistant for the Administration for Children and Families from 2008-2011.

“You should leave the world a better place for the next generation,” the 46-year-old Brownsville, Texas native says. “Every LGBTQ and immigrant child should grow up in a safe home and neighborhood where they feel whole, complete and loved. I want to create that society. I want to normalize that in our culture. I want these children to never feel less than.”

For his efforts, Garcia has been named one of this year’s Capital Pride Heroes along with Gregory A. Cendana, Patrick Grady, Jorge Hernandez and Samantha Master. Karen Kendra Holmes and Linda Roberts get this year’s Engendered Spirit Awards. The gala is Thursday, June 7 at 880 P (880 P St., N.W.). Tickets are $75. Full details at capitalpride.org.

Garcia works by day as a writer/editor for the Department of Commerce. He came to Washington in 2011 for a presidential appointment. He’s single and lives in Shaw. Garcia enjoys kickball, volunteering and podcasting in his free time.

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?

I’ve been out since 1991. My mother was the hardest to come out to. I had to wait a whole decade to eventually tell her. One day she asked me for a computer with internet access. I had to book a ticket and fly down to tell her before she Googled my name and saw that I was a big gay activist who lived nine hours away from her.

Who’s your LGBT hero?

Cleve Jones. He advocated for LGBTQ and AIDS causes. He now works with unions and helps Latinx immigrants with labor issues.

The AIDS epidemic. We lost so many kind souls, smart people and forward thinkers. If the spread of this disease had been prevented early on, I strongly believe our nation would have been a nicer, more tolerant place by now. Our civil rights movement would have been further along.

What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?

Madonna. Her female empowerment, sexual positivity, ambition, and embracing of LGBTQ culture provide me so many cues on how to be a badass. Her iconic music, especially her “Truth or Dare” documentary showing openly gay dancers being creative, handsome and smart, came out during an important time of my life. I had never seen positive images of gay people before. It allowed me to believe that there was a future for me being gay.

On what do you insist?

Acceptance

What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?

“Watching the series premiere of Pose FX. Love the telling of stories long ignored, the ‘80s house and dance music and families that we choose.”

If your life were a book, what would the title be?

“Press Tres for Spanglish”

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?

I would welcome all the new gay folks into our family.

What do you believe in beyond the physical world?

I don’t. You got one life. Make the most of it.

What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?

We all have a place in the movement. 1. Work with each other and don’t try to undermine each other. 2. Check your egos at the door. So many people are depending on you. 3. Use your powers for good.

What would you walk across hot coals for?

My mother and sister’s health.

What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?

That we are self-absorbed.

What’s your favorite LGBT movie?

Not necessarily an LGBT movie, but it really moved me because one of its characters. “I Like It Like That” came out in 1994 about the struggles of a Puerto Rican family in the Bronx. It had a beautiful performance by supporting cast member Jesse Borrego who played Alexis, the transgender sister that dominates each scene. Be prepared to laugh and cry.

What’s the most overrated social custom?

Brunch

What trophy or prize do you most covet?

Stonewall Kickball Championship. Come on Ball Busters!

What do you wish you’d known at 18?

All the worrying, late night studying, holding down multiple part-time jobs, trusting your gut instinct and doing the right thing will eventually pay off.

Why Washington?

I love my country, working for the cause, politics and learning more about our history. Of course, I would end up here.